Lyn Frans
The chief prosecutor of the ,International Criminal Court (ICC) Karim Ahmad Khan, has temporarily stepped aside while an internal investigation is carried out into allegations of sexual misconduct. The probe is being led by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), following a formal complaint by a former aide.
While no official timeline for the conclusion of the investigation has been released, the court stated that Deputy Prosecutors Nazhat Shameem Khan and Mame Mandiaye Niang will take over Khan’s duties during his absence.
Khan’s legal representatives at UK-based law firm Carter-Ruck emphasized that their client continues to deny all allegations. “Our client remains the Prosecutor, has not stepped down, and has no intention of doing so,” the firm stated, adding that Khan’s leave is solely due to overwhelming media attention.
The allegations include claims of coercive behavior and sexual advances during what the complainant described as a non-consensual relationship spanning over a year. Although the court has not confirmed the nature of the evidence under review, the case has already sparked widespread attention from human rights organizations.
The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) welcomed Khan’s temporary step-back. “Stepping aside helps protect the court’s credibility and the trust of victims, staff, and the public,” said Danya Chaikel, a legal expert affiliated with the group. “For the alleged victim and whistleblowers, this is also a moment of recognition and dignity.”
This moment comes at a particularly delicate time for the ICC, which is handling several high-profile investigations, including the Russia–Ukraine conflict and Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
Related:/ICC To Investigate Chief Prosecutor’s Alleged Sexual Misconduct
Under Khan’s leadership, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin for the alleged unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children. More recently, Khan requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, citing alleged war crimes in Gaza.
These decisions have ignited political backlash. The United States, which has often voiced skepticism toward the ICC’s jurisdiction, has imposed sanctions on Khan and criticized the court’s actions against Israeli officials.
The Rome Statute, which governs the ICC, allows for the removal of a prosecutor by a two-thirds vote of member states should serious misconduct be proven. For now, though, Khan’s leave is framed as a voluntary step to protect the institution’s integrity while the investigation runs its course.
The ICC, established in 2002 and based in The Hague, remains the world’s only permanent court dedicated to prosecuting crimes such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
